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bodies of hospitals, and that in small hospitals a chaoticcondition would ensue if the staff was over-manned. TheChief Secretary promised that the matter would be recon-sidered, but stated it had been adopted on the advice of thechief medical officer to the Government.

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney.The twenty-seventh annual meeting of this institution was

held in Sydney on April 26th. The strain on the hospitalresources had been greater during the past year than at anyprevious period, the daily average of occupied beds being372. Operations totalled 3901. Professor Anderson Stuart,who was in the chair, stated that the financial position wasunsatisfactory, and that the debit balance would be increasedunless Government assistance was forthcoming. Unlesssome relief were obtained it would be necessary to consider

reducing the number of beds, a step the committee wereloth to take. The expenditure was .r.28,764.

The Use of Hospital F1lnds.The Acting Premier of Victoria has criticised adversely the

action of the Melbourne Alfred Hospital authorities indevoting R50 from the general hospital revenue to the pay-ment of portion of salary of a clinical pathologist. Oneof the physicians to the hospital has replied in the dailypress that such a position must be filled in the interests ofthe patients and hospital at the same time.

Care of Children.The report of a committee appointed by the Child-saving

Council of Melbourne strongly urges that the boarding-outsystem should be extended. The committee were struckwith the irresponsive demeanour of institutional children ascompared with those in the care of foster parents. Institu-tions should be limited as far as possible to : (1) receivinghomes; (2) homes for wayward children ; (3) homes for

mentally defective children; and (4) for those requiringtechnical training. There was evidence of overlappingamong existing institutions. All homes should be subject toregular medical inspection. Surprise was expressed that sofew of the homes maintained trained nurses on the staff.

The -Richmond Rai7may Accident.

The Minister for Railways for Victoria has handed to thepress a list of the medical men who were paid by the depart-ment for their attendance on sufEerers in the Richmond rail-

way accident which occurred in July, 1910, and resulted inalleged injury to some 480 persons. The total amount paidin medical fees was <E16,699 13s. 6d., besides .r.982 for privatehospital accommodation. The individual amounts variedfrom &pound; 2s. to 1984. It has been generally felt that somebetter system will have to be put in force in the future.Although such a list makes no mention of the actual workdone, in many cases the fees charged appeared excessive inamount. It is not intended to convey that this is broughtabout except by a needless number of visits being enteredagainst the department. It is calculated that on a basisof 10s. per visit over 32,000 visits were paid for.

Health of -M?:6M. I

A Royal Commission has been appointed by the Queensland I!Government, consisting of Mr. Murphy, M.L.A., Mr.Jackson, M.C.E., and Dr. J. S. C. Elkington, to inquire intothe health and conditions of work of miners in various partsof Queensland. The incidence of pulmonary diseases and theregulation of employment of persons suffering from tubercu-losis as miners are to form part of the inquiry.

New Brisbane Hospital.The Mater Misericordise Hospital, which has been estab-

lished in Brisbane by a nursing sisterhood of the RomanCatholic Church, is now open for patients, and appears to bevery complete as regards building and equipment. The

honorary staff as at present constituted comprises foursurgeons, four physicians, and there are special departmentsfor dermatology, ophthalmology, pathology, and dentistry.

Ob’it1lary.The death of Alexander Lawrence, M.D. Edin., L.R.C.S.

Edin., is announced from Adelaide, in which city he practisedfor many years past. The late Dr. Lawrence was a native

of Brechin, Forfar. He had an intimate acquaintance withsmall-pox and was frequently consulted as an expert in

quarantine cases. He originally came to South Australia onaccount of his health, having been in practice in the oldcountry. Personally, he was very popular and enjoyed theconfidence of a large circle of patients. He leaves one sonand daughter, the latter having married Dr. Lionel Haywardsome years ago.June 5th.

_________________

Medical News.UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD.-The following can-

didates have been approved in the undermentionedexaminations :&mdash;

FIRST B.M.

Organic Chemistry.-H. E. Bamber, J. N. L. Blarney, L. G. Burford,A. Jackson, T. L. Price, J. A. G. Sparrow, and A. Traill.

Human Anatomy and Physiology.-H. E. A. Boldero, L. G. Brown,F. B. Chavas-e, W. T. Collier, V. T. Ellwood, R. C. Fairbairn, R. J.Inman, M. R. Laurence, G. A. Maling, T. S. Nelson, 0. B. Pratt,G. S. Robinson, C. P. Sells, J. A. G. Sparrow, N. A. Sprott, C. P.Symonds, and H. A, B. Whitelocke.

SECOND B.M.

Medica Materia and Pharmacology.-W. J. Hart, H. M. Pope,E. Scott, and J. A. Wood.

Pathology.-J. L. Birley, A. Booth, C. H. Budd, A. A. M. Davies,H. T. Evans. R. A. Faucus, J. R. Kay-Monat, D. P. M’Donald,W. H. Ogilvie, R. C. Ozanne, H. M. Pope, J. Sainsbury, W. W,Wagstaffe, and R. 0. Ward.

Forensic Medicine and Public Health.-H. C. Bazett, J. L. Birley,A. Booth. N. S Lucas, H. W. Scott-Wilson, P. T. Spencer-Phillips,C. J. G. Taylor, W. W. Wagstaffe, ani W. C. Wigan.

Medicine, Surgery, and l.BdwiJery.-H. C. Bazett, A. R. ChavasseH. J. B. Fry, A. D. Gardner, J. A. Noble, E. R. Pearce-GouldJ. F. Penson, P. T. Spencer-Phillips, and W. W. Wagstaffe.

The following degree has been conferred :&mdash;

D.M.-Charles Singer.

UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS.-At a Congregation ofthe University held on June 30th the following pass listswere issued :-

SECOND M.B., CH.B. EXAMINATION.Part I.-C. M. Gozney, E. Hesterlow, W. D. A. King, and J. WrightPart II.&mdash;W. D. Anderton, R. H. Chadwick, D. A. P. Clarke, S. N.Cohen, J. J. Digges la Touche, H. Foxton, A. S. Hebblethwaite,E. Hesterlow, F. King, W. D. A. King, H. S. Lockwood, K. Menon,H. W. Robinson, C. H. Seville, H. Shochet, J. Wilkinson, and C.Wilson.

FINAL M.B., CH.B. EXAMINATION.Part I.-H. Angel, J. H. Blackburn, T. Elliott, J. Ferguson, G. W. L.Kirk, G. P. Mellis, J. C. Metcalfe, N. V. Mitton, M. Peto, S.Samuel, and H. W. Symons.

Part II.-C. S. Brown, J. B. Fisher, A. Riley, and T. L. Walker.Mr. Fisher has been awarded first-class honours. ,

Diploma in Public Heath.&mdash;C. N. Smith.Diploma in Dental Surgery (First Professional Examination).-H. V.Waddington.

ROYAL SoCIETY OF ARTS.-The annual generalmeeting of the Royal Society of Arts took place recently,Sir John Cameron Lamb, C.B., C.M.G., chairman ofthe council, presiding. The annual report shows that theoffice of president has now been accepted by H. R. H. theDuke of Connaught. Up to the death of King Edward VII.it was occupied by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales (KingGeorge V.), and, on his accession to the throne, it was

temporarily held by the Lord Chief Justice. During theyear 22 papers were read at the ordinary meetings of thesociety, six in the Indian, and five in the colonial section.There has been, as usual, an increase in the entriesfor the society’s examination, the total number of papersworked this year being 34,260. Under the FothergillTrust, as has been announced in THE LANCET, thecouncil has made the following awards for life-savingapparatus for use in mines and places where the air isnoxious : gold medals to Mr. H. A. Fleuss and Mr. W. E.Garforth, and silver medals to Mr. Richard Jacobson andthe Mining Engineering Company. The society’s Albertmedal has been awarded to the Hon. Sir Charles A. Parsons,K.C.B., F.R.S., for his experimental researches into thelaws governing the efficient action of steam in engines ofthe turbine type. The council has awarded silver medals

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for’ papers read during the past session to Dr. Leonard Hillfor’ his paper on "Caisson Sickness and Compressed Air,"and to Mr. James Cantlie for his paper on " Plague."

THE MIDWIVES ACT, 1902.-It is officiallynotified in the London Gazette that the Privy Council hasapproved of revised rules, for the period of five years com-mencing on July 1st, submitted to it by the CentralMidwives Board.

’ WEST LONDON MEDICO-CHIRURQICAL SOCIETY’SGOLD MEDAL.-The gold medal of this society, which inawarded every three years for distinguished work ismedical science, was presented to Professor A. Neisser onJune 27th at the Kensington Town-hall, after he haddelivered the Cavendish Lecture.

’ MEDICAL SICKNESS AND ACCIDENT SOCIETY.-The usual monthly meeting of the Executive Committee ofthe Medical Sickness, Annuity, and Life Assurance Societywas held at 429, Strand, London, W.C., on June 16th.There were present Dr. F. de Havilland Hall (in the chair),Dr. St. Clair B. Shadwell, Dr. F. C. Martley, Dr. F. S.Palmer, Dr. J. Pickett, Dr. H. A. Sansom, Mr. J. Brindley-James, Mr. H. P. Symonds, Dr. R. Hutchison, Dr. F. J.Allan, Dr. W. Knowsley Sibley, and Dr. J. B. Ball. Thebusiness of the society during the last few months has beenvery satisfactory. Although fairly numerous, the sicknessclaims have been for the most part of short duration, andthe total sickness pay disbursed has been well under theamount expected and provided for in the rates of contribu-tion. With the view of mitigating the hardships of some ofthe cases of distress which come under the notice of the-committee it was resolved to subscribe 100 guineas a year tothe British Medical Benevolent Fund. The funds of theMedical Sickness and Accident Society cannot be directlyused for charitable purposes, but the committee trusts thatthis subscription will enable it in some cases to be of use tomembers of the society in temporary distress. Prospectusesand all further information may be had on application toMr. F. Addiscott, secretary, Medical Sickness and AccidentSociety, 33, Chancery-lane, London, W.C.

;if’; ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL OFFICERS OF HEALTH.-A council meeting of this association was held at the HolbornRestaurant on June 15th, Dr. Rashell T. Davison being in thechair. Mr. D. A. Belilios, the honorary secretary, reported thatthe following associations and societies had appointed dele-gates to the Joint Permanent Committee ef General Practi-tioners who hold public appointments under central or localbodies : Poor-law Medical Officers, Public Vaccinators, PostalMedical Officers, Metropolitan Police Surgeons, CertifyingFactory Surgeons, and the Association of Medical Officers of &pound;Health. The council appointed Dr. Rashell Davison, Dr.F. G. Crookshank, and Mr. Belilios to represent the associa-tion.-A meeting of the Joint Permanent Committee ofMedical Officers was held later, when the temporary honorarysecretary reported that the following representatives hadbeen appointed by the respective bodies : Dr. A. E. Cope,Mr. V. A. Jaynes, and Mr. G. W. Brabyn by the PublicVaccinators; Dr. C. Owen Fowler, Dr. G. Nicol Henry, andDr. A. Dumville Roe by the Metropolitan Police Surgeons ;Dr. J. H. Keay, Dr. W. A. Atkinson, and Mr. W. H. F.Oxley by the Certifying Factory Surgeons ; Dr. MajorGreenwood, Mr. A. Withers Green, and Mr. T. L. Brown

by the Poor-law Medical Officers ; Dr. R. R. Giddings, Dr.John Matheson, and Dr. George A. Mason by the PostalMedical Officers ; and Dr. Crookshank, Dr. Rashell Davison,and Mr. Belilios by the Association of Medical Officersof Health. Dr. Rashell Davison was elected to the chair,and he proposed that Mr. Henry Bott of Brentford beasked to be the chairman of the committee for the

ensuing year. This was seconded by Dr. Giddings andcarried unanimously. It was proposed by Dr. Mathieson,seconded by Dr. Mason, and carried, that Mr. Belilios be

appointed honorary secretary and treasurer. The pro-posed rules of the committee were discussed and passed.A resolution was unanimously carried that the objectswere to conserve the interests of all medical practitionerswho hold appointments under local and central authorities.The medical provisions of the National Insurance Bill werediscussed, and it was unanimously agreed that in order topreserve an unbroken line the policy of the British Medical

Association as outlined in its recent circular to the pro.fession be supported. It was further decided to bring tothe notice of the British Medical Association the clause(Clause I., Part II., Schedule IV.) of the Bill which con.templates bringing women and children into medical benefitswhen funds become available. It was recommended thatthe clause be deleted. Mr. Withers Green proposed and Mr.Brown seconded-That the medical representation on the Local Health Committee and

the Advisory Committee equals at least the representation of theFriendly Societies and Post Office contributors combined. The localprofession in each district to elect representatives on these committees.

It was pointed out that while the profession was unanimousin its insistence to be freed from the control of the FriendlySocieties, it was not by any means clear that the control ofthe medical practitioners by a Local Health Committeewould be any improvement unless the term adequate "

representation of the profession be defined in the Bill itself.It might mean the case of falling from the frying-pan intothe fire. A vote of thanks to Dr. Rashell Davison wascarried by acclamation.

THE FIFTEENTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ONHYGIENE AND DEMOGRAPHY.-The Fifteenth InternationalCongress on Hygiene and Demography will be held inWashington, D.C., from Sept. 23rd to 28th, 1912, under thehonorary presidency of the President of the United States.Dr. Henry P. Walcott, President of the State Board ofHealth of Massachusetts, will be the active president.Twenty-two Governments have already accepted the invita.tion to participate, issued by the Government of the UnitedStates, and in addition each of the States of the Union,which for health purposes is an independent self-governingbody, has received an invitation which includes its containedcities. The committee on organisation created by theU.S. Department of State consists of 53 members, and in-cludes Dr. Hermann Biggs, Dr. John S. Billings, ProfessorR. H. Chittenden, Professor Irving Fisher, Colonel Gorgas,Professor Theobald Smith, Surgeon-General Sternberg,Professor W. H. Welch, and Surgeon-General Wyman,with other well-known medical men, sanitarians, andsocial economists. The secretary-general is Dr. JohnS. Fulton, Army Medical Museum, Washington, D.C. Theofficial languages will be English, French, and German.The work of the Congress falls into two branches: first, anexhibition of the recent progress and of the present conditionof the public health movement in the cooperating countries ;secondly, the scientific meetings, for which purpose the

Congress will be divided into the following nine sections,each of which will meet daily and may propose resolutionsregarding matters of practice or lines of desirable investiga-tion. These resolutions will come before the closing sessionof the Congress. The sections are :-I. Hygienic Micro-

biography and Parasitology-President: Professor TheobaldSmith, Harvard Medical School, Boston. II. DieteticHygiene, Hygienic Physiology-President: Dr. Russell H.Chittenden, Yale University, New Haven, Conn. III. Hygieneof Infancy and Childhood and School Hygiene-President:Dr. Abraham Jacobi, College of Physicians and Surgeons,New York. IV. Industrial and Occupational Hygiene-President : Dr. G. M. Kober, Georgetown University,Washington, D.C. V. Control of Infectious Diseases-President : Dr. Hermann Biggs, Department of Health, NewYork. VI. State and Municipal Hygiene-President : Dr.Frank F. Wesbrook, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.VII. Hygiene of Traffic and Transportation-President: Dr.W. Wvman, U.S. Public Health and Marine Hospital Service,Washington, D.C. VIII. Military, Naval and TropicalHygiene-President: Dr. H. G. Beyer, Medical Director,U.S. Navy, Washington, D.C. IX. Demography-President:Professor Walter J. Willcox, Cornell University, Ithaca,N. Y. Notice of a desire to present a paper or demon-stration should be sent to the president of the appro-priate section, enclosing an abstract of the paper.Each member will receive a report of the Transactionsand of the Protocol to be published after the adjournment ofthe Congress. Membership in the Congress is open to thoseinterested in public health or vital statistics on payment ofthe membership fee of$5 (about .81). Inquiries and appli-cations for membership should be addressed to the Secretary-General of the Fifteenth International Congress on Hygieneand Demography, Army Medical Museum, Washington, D.C.